Welcome to New Journeys
New Journeys is evidence-informed
recovery-oriented outpatient care for individuals aged 15-40 who are experiencing new and unexpected changes in their perceptions and thinking, referred to as “first episode psychosis" (FEP).
There are teams across the state of Washington that offer comprehensive and personalized support.
How do I know if New Journeys is right for
me or someone I know?
New Journeys may be able to support you or a loved one who is experiencing early psychosis.
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These experiences may feel unusual or scary (or sometimes even positive and exciting). They may change in intensity over time, and may begin to interfere with one's ability to engage in what is most important to them. In these cases, New Journeys is here to help.
​​​New Journeys teams support individuals
across Washington State who: ​
Are between the ages of 15-40 years old
Live in an area where New Journeys is available
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Experience non-affective psychosis (schizophrenia-spectrum) or affective psychosis (bipolar or major depression with psychosis) with symptoms for at least one week, up to two years
How New Journeys Can Help
Recovery is possible. Early treatment makes all the difference.
New Journeys is Washington’s Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) Model for the treatment of first episode psychosis (FEP). This vital service model provides comprehensive, evidence-based treatment and earlier support, as soon as symptoms emerge, rather than waiting for the individual to become severely or persistently ill.
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New Journeys provides a range of services including personalized therapy, educational and employment support, support and psychoeducation for families, peer support, medication management, and more. Services can often be provided in the community. For example, your therapist may be able to meet you in a park to go for a walk if you would rather not come into the office. Hover over the elements below to learn more.
The Evidence Behind CSC
Individualized
Therapy
Individuals are offered evidence-based, cognitive behavioral based therapy to identify personal strengths, learn about psychosis, develop coping skills, and take steps toward achieving one’s personal goals.
Help with
Medications
Medications can be a helpful tool in the recovery process. Individuals will have the opportunity to partner with a psychiatric care provider to better understand their needs and preferences for medications and will develop an individualized medication management plan that works for them.
Case management assists in meeting practical needs that support essential aspects of an individual's life such as connection to resources and assistance with meeting basic needs.
Case
Management
Employment/
Educational Support
Psychosis often occurs at a pivotal time in one's life and may throw them off course with their goals related to work and/or school. Individuals have the opportunity to work with a Supported Employment and Education (SEE) Specialist to achieve goals they may have for school or employment including accessing
accommodations, applying to higher education and technical college, job coaching and school supports, and more.
Peer
Support
Many of the New Journeys programs have Peer Support Specialist who work with individuals as an additional support to discuss barriers to wellness and how to address them.
Support and Education for Families
Family and natural supports play an important role in supporting one’s recovery. An individual's supporters are invited to engage in services to support their needs, improve communication, learn coping skills, and support wellness/relapse prevention planning.
Nursing Care and Health Coaching
Many teams also have a nurse care manager who supports healthy behaviors and care coordination. They may provide health coaching, including support with sleep hygiene, managing a healthy diet, physical activity, and sexual health. They also often support medication
administration, coordination with other healthcare providers, and assistance addressing other medical needs, including tracking medication side effects and metabolic monitoring.
New Journeys practices measurement-based care. Service participants periodically complete surveys such as the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) to get a better sense of their current symptoms, any distress about those symptoms, and how they are doing in their daily lives. Clinicians utilize the ratings in these surveys to inform the services they provide and to help engage with New Journeys participants about the progress they are making.
Measurement-Based Care
History of New Journeys
New Journeys is based on NAVIGATE, the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) service model implemented and evaluated in the multi-site RAISE Trials funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 2008. After the successful pilot of the NAVIGATE model during the RAISE Trials, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) directed that 10% of Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) funds be directed towards the development and implementation of CSC service models like NAVIGATE to treat youth and young adults who experience first episode psychosis (FEP) across the U.S. This was in recognition that delaying treatment can result in loss of family and social supports, disruption of employment, substance abuse, increased hospitalizations, and reduced prospects for long-term recovery.
In 2015, Washington State piloted the first New Journeys CSC team (based on NAVIGATE) for youth and young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP). Since then, the state has supported the expansion of this model to 19 teams serving multiple counties across the state of Washington.
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In 2019, the Children, Youth, and Family Behavioral Health Workgroup (CYFBWG) advocated for Second Substitute Senate Bill 5903. This legislation called for creation of a Statewide Implementation Plan for evidence-based recovery supports, development of a financing strategy for Medicaid, and statewide expansion of New Journeys based on incidence of first episode in Washington’s population. The Statewide Implementation Plan was submitted to the Legislature in 2021. This provided a road map for financing and expansion of New Journeys.
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